Written Answers Friday 26 March 2010

Scottish Executive

Apprenticeships

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is provided to redundant apprentices to enable them to complete their training.

Keith Brown: The Adopt an Apprentice scheme, launched in June 2009, provides a financial incentive of £2,000 to encourage employers to recruit a redundant apprentice. The Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland (SDS), training providers, and sector skills councils have all worked together to secure alternative employment for many redundant apprentices.

  Through the Adopt an Apprentice scheme a Clearing House has been established to provide additional support to all redundant apprentices. The Clearing House has written to all individuals affected to offer individual help and support. The Clearing House staff will liaise with training providers to ensure all possible steps have been taken to find an alternative employer. Where necessary and appropriate, having coordinated all relevant information on the client, staff will consider alternative options for the client, including referral to an SDS careers centre for career planning and employability support.

Apprenticeships

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many apprentices who have been made redundant since January 2009 are still without a placement.

Keith Brown: This is an operational matter for Skills Development Scotland. However, for your convenience, as of the 8 February 2010 the Skills Development Scotland database shows that since January 2009 545 individuals have been made redundant, not re-started training and are without a placement. This represents 1.8% of the total number of apprentices in training at the end of January 2010. It should be noted that since the start of the Adopt an Apprentice Scheme in June 2009, 413 applications have been approved to support redundant apprentices back into employment.

Energy Efficiency

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Energy Saving Scotland home loan applications have been approved in each month since March 2009.

Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32380 on 23 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Finance

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its progress report of 30 June 2009 to the Public Audit Committee on major capital projects with a value in excess of £50 million, how each of the (a) estimated capital values and (b) timescales of the projects compares with the original project cost and timescale estimates.

John Swinney: The 30 June 2009 progress report to the Public Audit Committee provided details on 36 major capital projects. The capital projects outlined in the progress report are due for completion between 2010-11 and 2016-17. Capital budgets for 2011-12 and subsequent years are dependent on the outcome of future Spending Reviews.

  The total original cost estimate for all projects (based, where applicable, on median cost estimates) was £10.8 billion. The total estimated cost for the same projects as at 30 June 2009 had reduced to £9.7 billion.

  Cost estimates for individual projects may rise or fall for a number of reasons, including: changes to the scope of the project; incurring unanticipated or additional costs for preparatory works; costs arising from unavoidable delay to projects, and increases in input costs and construction prices.

  Timescale estimates for individual projects may be extended or shortened for a number of reasons, including: changes to the scope of the project; unanticipated or unavoidable delays to construction; unanticipated or unavoidable delays in the procurement process, and the impact of considerations around affordability for the procuring authority.

  The following table provides a comparison of original estimates of project costs and timescales with the estimates outlined in the progress report of 30 June 2009.

  Comparison of Original Estimates of Project Costs and Timescales with the Estimates Outlined in the Progress Report of 30 June 2009

  


 a. Project Title 
a. 



b. Forth
  Replacement Crossing 
b. The original estimated capital value was £3.2bn-
  £4.2bn. The revised estimate of £1.7bn- £2.3bn reflects a value engineered
  scheme (the Managed Crossing Strategy) developed for and approved by the
  Scottish Ministers prior to announcing to Parliament on 10 December 2008. The
  original estimated cost was based upon the Strategic Business Case from the
  Ministerial decision in December 2007. c. The original timescale to completion was 2016-17
  and this remains unchanged. 


c. A90
  Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route 
d. The original estimated capital value was £295m-£395m
  and this remains unchanged. The original estimated cost was based on when the
  preferred route was announced on 1 December 2005. The cost estimate will be
  reviewed and updated once the statutory procedures are completed and prior to
  commencement of procurement. e. The original timescale to completion was 2011 with the revised estimate being
  2012-13. As the project developed it became clear that land searches required
  to complete the draft Compulsory Purchase Orders were more complex than
  anticipated. This along with new procedures for confirming Orders within the
  Transport and Works (Scotland) Act 2007 led to re-assessment of the estimated
  scheme completion. 


d. M8
  Associated Network Improvements 
f. The original estimated capital value was £43m-£57m
  and this was unchanged as at 30 June 2009. The range of options considered
  was at 2004 prices and inflated to an outturn cost. g. The original timescale to completion was to suit M8 programme with the revised
  estimate being 2013-14. We have reviewed the wider M8 programme and have
  confidence that this element of works can be completed earlier. 


e. M8
  Baillieston to Newhouse 
h. The original estimated capital value was
  £150m-£180m. The revised estimate of £170m-£210m followed the Stage 3
  estimate updated in February 2007 to produce an out-turn cost estimate using
  an annual inflationary rate of 2.5% and assumed construction starting in 2008
  with completion in 2011. Original
  estimate based on 2004 prices when the preferred route was announced. i. The original timescale to completion was 2010-11 with the revised estimate being 2013-14.
  The need for a Public Local Inquiry and a considerable negotiation period to
  resolve objections has extended the programme. The programme has also had to
  follow the affirmative process for laying of the orders in Parliament. 


f. M74
  Raith Interchange 
j. The original estimated capital value was
  £56m-£61m and this remains unchanged. These reflect costs at the time of
  publishing draft orders in March 2007. k. The original timescale to completion was to suit M8 programme with the revised
  estimate being 2012-13. 


g. A90  
l. The original estimated capital value was
  £53m-£63m and this remains unchanged. These reflect costs at the time of
  publishing draft orders in November 2007. m. The original timescale to completion was 2012-13 and this remains unchanged. 


h. M80
  Stepps to Haggs PFI 
n. The original estimated capital value was
  £130m-£150m. The revised estimate of £320m is the Net Present Value as at January 2009 when the contract was
  awarded. The original capital value was the estimated cost when the preferred
  route was announced in 2004. o. The original timescale to completion was 2010-11 with the revised estimate being 2011-12
  which was caused by delay in tendering process and contract award. p. 


i. Borders
  Railway 
q. The original estimated capital value was £235m-£295m
  (at 2012 prices) and this remains unchanged. r. The original timescale to completion was 2013 and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. s. Original estimates based on November 2007 Outline Business Case. 


j. Airdrie
  to Bathgate Rail Link 
t. The original estimated capital value was £375m
  and this remains unchanged. u. The original timescale to completion was 2010 and this remains unchanged. v. Original estimates based on 2007 Full Business Case. 


k. Traffic
  Scotland Intelligent Transport System 
w. The original estimated capital value was £80m
  and this remains unchanged. x. The original timescale to completion was 2013-14 with the revised estimate being 2015. y. Original estimates based on September 2006 Outline
  Business Case. 


l. M74
  Completion 
z. The original estimated capital value was
  £375m-£500m. The original estimated capital value was the cost when
  the preferred route was announced on 21 March 2003. The revised estimate of
  £692m is based upon the actual tender cost together with land and preparation
  costs. Cost increases in the project arose from increased input and
  construction costs and increased costs on land acquisition. aa. The original timescale to completion was 2008 with the revised estimate being 2011-12
  which was caused by delay in completing the statutory procedures and
  challenge at Court of Session. bb. 


m. Edinburgh
  to Glasgow Rail Improvement Programme 
cc. The original estimated capital value was £1,164m
  and this remains unchanged. dd. The original timescale to completion was 2016 and this remains unchanged. ee. Original estimates based on Network Rail GRIP
  Stage 2 estimates - Outline Business Case July 2009. 


n. Highland
  Main Line 
ff. The original estimated capital value was
  £50m-£90m and this remains unchanged. gg. The original timescale to completion was 2013 and this remains unchanged. hh. Original estimates based on 2006 Room for Growth Study. ii. 


o. Paisley
  Corridor Improvements 
jj. The original estimated capital value was
  £372m-£406m and this remained unchanged as at 30 June 2009. kk. The original timescale to completion was 2013 and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. ll. See Note 2 


p. Edinburgh
  Waverley Station 
 mm. The original estimated capital value was £135m
  and this remains unchanged. nn. The original timescale to completion was 2012 and
  this remains unchanged. oo. Original estimates based on May 2005 Outline Business Case. 


q. NHS
  Ayrshire and Arran – Mental Health 
 pp. The original estimated capital value was £53m
  (but subject to review as part of OBC process) and this remains unchanged. qq. The original timescale to completion was dependant
  upon outcome of Outline Business Case and this remains unchanged. rr. Original estimates based on June 2009 Initial Agreement. 


r. NHS
  Fife - General Hospital and Maternity Services – Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline 
 ss. The original estimated capital value was £114m. The
  revised estimate of £170m is attributable
  to changes in the scope of the project and increases in annual price indices. tt. The original timescale to completion was 2010 with the revised estimate being 2011. The
  procurement process took longer than anticipated at OBC. At FBC Addendum stage
  project is due to complete in 2011 at a cost of £170m. uu. Original estimates based on July 2005 Outline
  Business Case Addendum. 


s. NHS
  Forth Valley - New Acute Hospital 
 vv. The original estimated capital value was £270m. The
  revised estimate of £293m is attributable to changes in the scope of the
  project and increases in annual price indices.  ww. The original timescale to completion was 2009 with the revised estimate being 2011. The
  procurement process took longer than anticipated at OBC. FBC Addendum states
  construction complete at the end of 2009. Phased project with phase 1 due to
  be operational in May 2010, phase 2 in August 2010 and phase 3 in April 2011. xx. Original estimates based on December 2003 Outline
  Business Case. 


t. NHS
  Grampian – Emergency Care Centre 
 yy. The original estimated capital value was £95m
  and this remains unchanged. zz. The original timescale to completion was estimated
  as 2012 in OBC but subject to review as part of the business case process with the revised estimate being dependant
  upon OBC Addendum approval. aaa. Original estimates based on July 2008 Outline Business Case. 


u. NHS
  Lothian - Royal Edinburgh Hospital 
 bbb. The original estimated capital value was £135m
  and this remains unchanged subject to review as part of business case
  process. ccc. The original timescale to completion was to be
  determined through the business case process and this remains unchanged. ddd. Original estimates based on Programme Initial Agreement update which
  included Mental Health and other projects - April 2009. 


v. NHS
  Lothian - Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Edinburgh) 
 eee. The original estimated capital value was £148m
  and this remains unchanged. fff. The original timescale to completion was 2012 and this remains unchanged subject to
  review as part of Full Business Case process. ggg. Original estimates based on August 2008 Outline Business Case. 


w. The
  State Hospital, Carstairs 
 hhh. The original estimated capital value was £89m. The
  revised estimate of £90m is attributable increases
in annual price indices. iii. The original timescale to completion was 2011 and this remains unchanged. jjj. Original estimates based on March 2007 Outline Business Case Addendum. 


x. NHS
  Tayside - Mental Health Development 
 kkk. The original estimated capital value was £83m. The
  revised estimate of £98m is attributable to changes in the scope of the project
  and increases in annual price indices. lll. The original timescale to completion was 2012 and this remains unchanged subject to
  outcome of procurement process. mmm. Original estimates based on March 2007 Outline Business Case. nnn. 


y. NHS
  Greater Glasgow and Clyde - New South Hospital, Glasgow z. See
  Note 3 
 ooo. The original estimated capital value was £842m
  and this remains unchanged. ppp. The original timescale to completion was 2014
  (subject to the outcome of the procurement process) and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. qqq. Original estimates based on May
  2008 Outline Business Case. 


aa. NHS
  Lanarkshire - Monklands General Hospital 
 rrr. The original estimated capital value was £400m
  (subject to review through the business case process) and this remains
  unchanged. sss. The original timescale to completion was yet to be
  determined through the business case process and this remains unchanged. ttt. Original estimates based on Briefing From NHS Lanarkshire - May 2009. uuu. 


bb. NHS
  Dumfries & Galloway - Royal Infirmary refurbishment 
 vvv. The original estimated capital value was
  £36m-£222m (depending on preferred option not yet identified) and this
  remains unchanged. www. The original timescale to completion was to be
  determined through the business case process and this remains unchanged. xxx. Original estimates based on January
  2008 Initial Agreement. 


cc. NHS
  Lothian – Clinical Neurosciences 
 yyy. The original estimated capital value was
  £28m-£53m (depending upon preferred option not yet identified) and this
  remains unchanged. zzz. The original timescale to completion was to be determined
  through the business case process and this remains unchanged. aaaa. Original estimates based on 2008 Initial
  Agreement. 


dd. National
  Indoor Sports Arena Glasgow 
 bbbb. The original estimated capital value was £98.2m. The revised estimate of £124m as at 30 June 2009 was due to costs
  which have increased as the project has been developed to detailed design
  stage. cccc. The original timescale to completion was 2011 and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. dddd. Original estimates based on Stage 2 applications
  for funding from sportscotland and stage D of the Building project, December
  2007. 


ee. Glasgow
  School of Art 
 eeee. The original estimated capital value was £50m
  and this remains unchanged. ffff. The original timescale to completion was 2012 and this remains unchanged. gggg. Original estimates based on Outline Business Case
  considered by SFC in December 2008. hhhh. 


ff. Glasgow
  City Centre Colleges 
 iiii. The original estimated capital value was £315m
  and this remains unchanged. jjjj. The original timescale to completion was 2015 and this remains unchanged. kkkk. Original estimates based on Outline
  Business Case submitted to SFC in 2006. 


gg. Parliament
  House 
 llll. The original estimated capital value was £63m
  and this remains unchanged. mmmm. The original timescale to completion was 2013 and this remains unchanged. nnnn. Original estimates based on January 2008 Full
  Business Case. 


hh. Court
  Unification 
 oooo. The original estimated capital value was £61m
  and this remains unchanged. pppp. The original timescale to completion was 2009 with the revised estimate being 2010 due
  to Justice Committee failing to approve a planning proposal to close Annan District Court. qqqq. Original estimates based on May
2007 Full Business Case. 


ii. Scottish
  Crime Campus – Gartcosh 
 rrrr. The original estimated capital value was £65m
  and this remained unchanged as at 30 June 2009. ssss. The original timescale to completion was 2011-12 and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. 


jj. HM
  Prison Low Moss 
 tttt. The original estimated capital value was £130m
  and this remained unchanged as at 30 June 2009. uuuu. The original timescale to completion was estimated
  2011-12 but subject to outcome of procurement process and this remains unchanged. vvvv. Original estimates based on the approved project
  budgets, July 2007. 


kk. HM
  Prison Grampian 
 wwww. The original estimated capital value was £110m
  and this remains unchanged. xxxx. The original timescale to completion was estimated
  2013-14 but to be determined through planning process and this remains unchanged. yyyy. Original estimates based on the
  approved project budgets, July 2007. 


ll. HM
  Prison Shotts, Phase 1 
 zzzz. The original estimated capital value was £61m
  and this remained unchanged as at 30 June 2009. aaaaa. The original timescale to completion was estimated
  2011-12 but to be determined through planning process and this remained unchanged as at 30 June
  2009. bbbbb. Original estimates based on the
  approved project budgets, July 2007. 



  Notes:

  1. A subsequent progress report on major capital projects was provided to the Public Audit Committee on 21 December 2009. The Clerk of the Public Audit Committee has prepared a comparison of the June 2009 and December 2009 progress reports. This is contained in document PA/S3/10/01/6 and can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/publicAudit/papers-10/paup10-01.pdf.

  2. Following a parliamentary announcement on 17 September 2009 and the subsequent ratification of the Scottish Budget 2010 – 2011 on 3 February 2010, the branchline element of Glasgow Airport Rail Link (incorporating Network Rail’s Paisley Corridor Renewal) project has been cancelled. However the mainline works on the Paisley corridor are being undertaken by Network Rail and funded through the Regulatory Asset Base Financing facility. This continues on time and budget. The Anticipated Final Cost (AFC) is £182 million with the full passenger service improvements being operational in Q1 2012.

  The preliminary Financial Business Case for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project was undertaken by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in November 2005, and subsequently updated in January 2007. Following the integration of Network Rail’s Paisley Corridor (signalling) Renewal (PCR), the completion of Transport Scotland’s Efficient Cost Exercise and the Office of Rail Regulations Final Determination of an efficient cost for the Network Rail delivered elements of the GARL/PCR works the Updated Business Case was revised again in November 2008. Subsequent responsibility for updating the Financial Business Case was brought within Transport Scotland as of November 2008. The November 2008 revision was on the basis of a cost apportionment in the capital costs between GARL and PCR with only the GARL costs being included in the Business Case.

  The Paisley Corridor Improvement project, which has arisen out of the Scottish Budget 2010 – 2011 and the cancellation of the branch line element of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, is in summary all of the previous main line railway elements of the GARL project and the PCR project combined.

  3. The information on New South Hospital, Glasgow is based on the Outline Business Case which was approved in May 2008. Now that the procurement process has identified a preferred route, more up to date timescales are available and can be found in the answer to question S3W-31235 on 8 February 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Forestry

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what amount of new woodland planting took place in 2009.

Roseanna Cunningham: The amount of new woodland created in Scotland in 2009 was 2,154 hectares.

Forestry

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of new forestry planting in the last five years has been productive and whether it is achieving the 60:40 split in favour of productive forestry as set out in The Scottish Government’s Rationale for Woodland Expansion .

Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government’s Rationale for Woodland Expansion was published last year. Around 45% of the new woodland created in Scotland over the past five years can be considered as "productive forestry". The majority of the remaining area is native woodland which is a welcome contribution to the woodland expansion target, providing many public benefits including a source of supply for the emerging woodfuel sector. However, we do of course recognise the need for softwood timber for the main wood processing industry, and we have recently introduced improved grant rates to encourage greater uptake of conifer planting.

Joint Ministerial Committee

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Domestic) meeting on 10 March 2010.

Fiona Hyslop: On 10 March 2010, the First Minister and I attended the third meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Domestic), which included representatives from the UK Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

  I am delighted to report that we agreed a revised and updated Memorandum of Understanding, the first since 2001, which includes a new protocol on dispute avoidance and resolution. These new agreements give Scotland a strong platform from which to advance its interests.

  The meeting also held a useful discussion about meeting the challenges of the downturn through integrating employment and skills support and agreed that in recognition of the particular relevance and timeliness of this issue a follow-up discussion between the relevant Ministers of the four administrations should take place shortly.

  I am placing a copy of the revised Memorandum of Understanding in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50576).

Non-Domestic Rates

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties and at what rateable value will be subject to increased non-domestic rates in 2010-11 compared with 2009-10 levels of (a) 0 to 5%, (b) 5 to 10%, (c) 10 to 15%, (d) 15 to 20% and (e) more than 20% per annum, also expressed as a percentage of total rateable value, and broken down by category of non-domestic property.

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its assessment of the impacts of a possible transitional relief scheme for non-domestic rates, referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in his statement in the chamber on 10 February 2010 ( Official Report c. 23669).

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total extra amount is of 2010-11 non-domestic rates that larger organisations that would have been eligible for transitional relief will pay as a result of the decision by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth not to introduce an upper cap (a) comparable with that in England and (b) as considered by the Scottish Government in its assessment of the impacts of a possible transitional relief scheme referred to by the Cabinet Secretary in his statement in the chamber of 10 February 2010 ( Official Report c. 23669) and what assessment it has made of the impact of that decision on the (i) economy and (ii) employment and investment by those affected organisations.

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many non-domestic properties there are in each Scottish Assessors Association property classification category, broken down by rateable value of (a) up to £18,000, (b) £18,001 to £34,999, (c) £35,000 to £49,999, (d) £50,000 to £64,999, (e) £65,000 to £89,999, (f) £90,000 to £119,999, (g) £120,000 to £249,999, (h) £250,000 to £499,999, (i) £500,000 to £999,999 and (j) £1,000,000 and over.

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the aggregate rateable values of non-domestic properties are, broken down by rateable value of (a) up to £18,000, (b) £18,001 to £34,999, (c) £35,000 to £49,999 (d) £50,000 to £64,999, (e) £65,000 to £89,999, (f) £90,000 to £119,999, (g) £120,000 to £249,999, (h) £250,000 to £499,999, (i) £500,000 to £999,999 and (j) £1,000,000 and over.

John Swinney: A report on the impact of revaluation will be published shortly.

Parliamentary Questions

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason it has not yet answered question S3W-27290, which was due for answer on 29 September 2009.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27290 on 26 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions it has taken six months to answer a parliamentary question since May 2007, broken down by lodging MSP.

Bruce Crawford: None.

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-31144, which received a holding reply on 10 February 2010.

Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31144 on 24 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-27408, which received a holding reply on 30 September 2009.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27408 on 24 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Registers of Scotland

Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it expects Registers of Scotland to achieve in 2010-11.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers have set the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland the financial target of delivering 2% increasing cash-releasing efficiencies each year of her department’s 2010-13 Corporate Plan.

  In addition, the Keeper of the Registers has set the following registration and customer service targets for 2010-11, which ministers endorse:

  

Where it is in the Keeper’s power and is legally appropriate, to:


Complete the registration of Sasine writs within an upper limit of 40 days, with 80% completed within 20 days


Complete the registration of Dealings with Whole carried out as ARTL transactions within 24 hours


Complete the registration of Dealings with Whole, that are not carried out as ARTL transactions, and standard First Registrations within an upper limit of 120 days, with 80% completed within 60 days


As a milestone in year four of the five-year strategy to deal with older, complex casework, where it is in the Keeper’s power and is legally appropriate, to:


Eliminate all pre-1 March 2010 First Registration casework by 31 March 2011


Eliminate 30,000 Transfer of Part cases by 31 March 2011


Achieve a registration accuracy rate of at least 98.5% for applications despatched


Achieve a 98% rating for overall customer care in the annual customer satisfaction survey


Process 98% of all customer enquiries in compliance with RoS’ published response standards


Record all applications for registration on the application record within one working day. (Entrance on the application record safeguards the rights of applicants until the registration application is determined.)

Renewable Energy

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the forecast business rates revenue foregone will be as a result of the renewable energy relief scheme for 2010-11 (a) in total and (b) for producers with a cumulative rateable value (i) below £145,000, (ii) from £145,000 to £430,000, (iii) from £430,001 to £860,000, (iv) from £860,001 to £4,000,000 and (v) above £4,000,000.

John Swinney: Micro-generation and offshore energy generation are already exempted from payment of business rates and the new renewable energy producers relief will, from 1 April 2010, remove or reduce the rates burden for onshore developments.

  Details of the number of renewable energy producers in each band who benefit from the new relief and the corresponding amount of business rate revenue forgone will be available at the end of 2010-11, the first full year of the scheme.

Scottish Futures Trust

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-32179 by John Swinney on 12 March 2010, whether the Scottish Futures Trust has ever sought advice or used the services of consultants for issues relating to Scottish Water.

John Swinney: I have asked Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust to respond. His response is as follows:

  In October 2009, the Scottish Futures Trust engaged KPMG to do a limited piece of work in support of our business plan commitment to assess options to increase efficiency of funding of Scottish Water whilst retaining public ownership.

Correction

The reply to question S3W-31587 which was originally answered on 2 March 2010, has been corrected: see page 8943 or http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-10/wa0324.htm.